The Blog

For the first time, starting on December 18, off-site guests will be able to take part in FastPass+ testing. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (which coincidentally was the first park to test Legacy FASTPASS when it was introduced), both on-site as well as non-Disney resort guests will be allowed to make FastPass+ reservations.

If off-site guests wish to take part in the test by making FastPass+ reservations, they will have to visit a FastPass+ kiosk in the park to reserve their ride times on the day they visit the park. Non-Disney resort guests will currently not be able to use the My Disney Experience app or website to make FastPass+ bookings. In addition, MagicBands will currently not be available for non-Disney resort guests.

To make a FastPass+ reservation, off-property guests will need to use their RFID-enabled ticket to access the FastPass+ kiosks and Mickey touch sensors. These kiosks can be found at Disney Outfitters, Kali River Rapids, Primeval Whirl, the Expedition Everest FASTPASS distribution area, and outside the service center located at Creature Comforts.

One thing to keep in mind is that during this test, Legacy FASTPASS will not be available to any park guest. The only way to have access to any FastPass will be by making FastPass+ reservations. With this test, the precedent will continue where guests will only be able to book three FastPass+ reservations for the day, no matter whether you are staying on-site or not.

Guests who are staying at a Disney resort have the ability to make FastPass+ reservations in advance via the My Disney Experience app or website, and they can also make them in the parks at the FastPass+ kiosks.

Currently, there is no word on how long this test will last, but I personally am assuming that these new practices probably are not going anywhere. This will likely become the new normal for visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and I suspect it will eventually be rolled out to the other three parks, barring any major hiccups with this test. Again, I have no official word on that, just what I am guessing based off my own knowledge.

Brandy- Start by creating your touring plan. On the Evaluate & Optimize screen, click the green plus sign next to FastPass+ Options. Make sure the use FASTPASS+ and regular FASTPASS simultaneously is not checked. Under the Ask TouringPlans to suggest mu FastPass+ attractions put a “3” in the group one text box. Now click the Optimize button at the bottom of the page. The custom touringplan will give suggestions of attractions to get your FP+. Assuming you have a mobile device, after you make your reservations enter them and then re-optimize.

So to confirm, the key to the world cards will no longer be in working order for fast pass at AK starting the 18th? This is a bummer for those that have park hopper options like myself since you can only pick one park to use FP+ – Disney needs to really start thinking things through before rolling out stuff that will provide inconveniences for folks. Thoughts?

Majority of the time , Disney and some of the other parks never start a test and stops it before launch. For example, when the magic bands started coming out there was never a time where they stopped the program even though they were “testing” it and still are. I’m pretty sure that once the FastPass+ and many other new things start in the parks there’s no turning back.

Absolutley! And what is the point in having a park hopper option? If Disney wants to limit it to 3 rides, fine, but to limit it to one park makes park hopping pointless unless your only goal is to stroll around in one of the parks – you pretty much have to use the FP+ for the evening to efficiently use it properly for park hopping.

We are going on the 22nd and staying off property, so I guess we need to take advantage of this. I know where Primevil Whirl, Kali River Rapids, and Everest fastpass kiosks are, but I’m not sure where the Creature Comforts or Disney Outfitters is? Can anyone help? Which would be the fastest to get to once inside? Thanks